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Pod613
Newbie
Joined: 11 Sep 2017
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 18
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Topic: Towing setup for new RP176 Posted: 11 Sep 2017 at 9:55am |
Hello all!
First post and soon to be r-pod 176 owner with some towing questions. We chose the r-pod for a number of reasons but most of which because of it's size to weight ratio. Since I didn't want to buy a new TV I needed a travel trailer that could be towed with my van (2015 Honda Odyssey 3500lb rating).
I'm hoping to get some feedback from other r-pod owners that have a similar setup and what they've learned as they tweaked their setup.
I don't currently have a hitch on the van so I need to buy everything. What is the recommended setup based on your experience? Do I need a WDH? Honda does not recommend them for my vehicle but I've read that if you install and set it up right a WDH is very helpful.
We travel with 2 adults and three children (13, 11, 9) with stuff so I'm already preparing to reduce our stuff to make sure I don't exceed the weight ratings of my van.
Thank you in advance!
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2019 RP176
2016 Honda Pilot EX-L AWD
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eye95
Groupie
Joined: 04 Mar 2017
Location: Fairborn, OH
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 63
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Posted: 11 Sep 2017 at 10:07am |
176 GVWR is 3780. Even if you choose not to load the trailer up to its max, you will be operating on the ragged edge. I recommend no.
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<0>
2017 178 The "eye-Pod"
2011 Nissan Titan
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Leo B
podders Helping podders - pHp
Joined: 13 Jan 2012
Location: Lyndonville, VT
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 4517
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Posted: 11 Sep 2017 at 10:52am |
Welcome to the group!! Congrats on your 176!! We towed our 2010 rpod 171 with a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan up and down the east coast, through the white mountains in New Hampshire and the Pocono Mtns in Pennsylvania along with the Green Mountains of Vermont. It had the 3.3 engine and a 3500 lb rating we drove slow and steady and didn't have any problems. We then upgraded to a 179 and a 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan with the 3.6 engine which put out 283 horse, we still made multiple triple up and down the coast without any incidents. We had enough power to travel comfortably and usually averaged 14.5-16.5 mpg. But again we drove fairly slow, usually 60-65 on the interstate.
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Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150
2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
Previously owned
2015 Rpod 179
2010 Rpod 171
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eye95
Groupie
Joined: 04 Mar 2017
Location: Fairborn, OH
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 63
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Posted: 11 Sep 2017 at 10:58am |
Getting away with an unsafe practice does not mean it is safe.
I wish people here would STOP advising folks to use a TV that doesn't have the capacity to tow the GVWR of the trailer to be pulled. It is becoming something of a routine here.
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<0>
2017 178 The "eye-Pod"
2011 Nissan Titan
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Leo B
podders Helping podders - pHp
Joined: 13 Jan 2012
Location: Lyndonville, VT
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 4517
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Posted: 11 Sep 2017 at 11:02am |
We have towed with two different Dodges on two different rpods, up and down the US for over 20,000 miles. So it is hands on experience talking so sounds like you need to get over it or keep wishing
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Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150
2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
Previously owned
2015 Rpod 179
2010 Rpod 171
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eye95
Groupie
Joined: 04 Mar 2017
Location: Fairborn, OH
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 63
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Posted: 11 Sep 2017 at 11:09am |
Advising someone to do something the engineering by these manufacturers reveals is dangerous is irresponsible on your part.
I hope that nothing goes wrong if someone follows your advice. If something does, I hope that you are not held legally responsible.
Folks, don't just take advice you get from a message board. Check the numbers for yourself BEFORE you do the stupid thing you have been advised to do!
Moving on.
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<0>
2017 178 The "eye-Pod"
2011 Nissan Titan
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Leo B
podders Helping podders - pHp
Joined: 13 Jan 2012
Location: Lyndonville, VT
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 4517
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Posted: 11 Sep 2017 at 11:19am |
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Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150
2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
Previously owned
2015 Rpod 179
2010 Rpod 171
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bigbearcraig
Newbie
Joined: 10 Dec 2016
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 36
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Posted: 11 Sep 2017 at 11:42am |
I would not do it. Some do it and have no problems, but you will be exceeding your vehicles maximum rated towing capability. It is recommended that you have at least a 20% margin between your trailer weight and your vehicle tow rating which would be 2800 lbs.
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GlueGuy
Senior Member
Joined: 15 May 2017
Location: N. California
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2653
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Posted: 11 Sep 2017 at 12:25pm |
I agree that you need to be very aware of the limits of your TV. If your TV is rated at X, and your trailer weighs X + 10%, then you are clearly in an undefined territory. Can you get away with it. Possibly. What's your life, your family, and your equipment worth to you?
We did massive overkill with our TV. When we tow, it is pleasant, and relaxing. That is worth a lot.
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bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost
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Guests
Guest Group
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Posted: 11 Sep 2017 at 1:41pm |
Originally posted by eye95
Advising someone to do something the engineering by these manufacturers reveals is dangerous is irresponsible on your part.I hope that nothing goes wrong if someone follows your advice. If something does, I hope that you are not held legally responsible. Folks, don't just take advice you get from a message board. Check the numbers for yourself BEFORE you do the stupid thing you have been advised to do! Moving on. |
Maybe I'm misinterpreting this post but.........
I wish you would have stopped after the first post. The second and third posts sound "personally confrontational". You are entitled to express your opinion, as you did in the first. However, other members (such as Leo) are entitled to express their opinions and real experiences, also. Stating that other members post "stupid" advice, I find offensive. It will not be allowed. 10-4?
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